By Laura Newell Telegraph Staff Writer
Chief is heavily involved with organ donation.
A popular figure in the Folsom Fire Department is hanging up his helmet.
Kerry Miller, Folsom city manager, said Fire Chief Dan Haverty will retire from city service effective Oct. 25.
“Dan is probably right there at the top of quality professional appointments in the city, and one that I’m more proud of in my 28-year city manager career,” Miller said.
As Folsom’s fire chief, Haverty led a staff of 75 professionals who provide complete fire suppression, rescue, prevention, public education, hazardous materials response and emergency medical services to the Folsom community. The Fire Department operates four fire stations and is responsible for providing service to a population of more than 62,000 in an area covering 24 square miles.
Looking ahead
After announcing his decision to retire, Haverty prepared for the ending of one chapter in his life and the beginning of another.
“I’m trying to savor the last months,” Haverty said. “I’m so happy in the profession I am in and the work that I have done. I am so fulfilled.”
Retirement will allow Haverty to spend more time with his family while pursuing other interests.
“I want to stay connected with the city and my community,” Haverty said. “I was recently elected president of the new Rotary club and I am an active member of my church the Holy Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills.”
The new Folsom Lake Rotary Club was chartered on July 14. “I’m so excited that he is sticking with Rotary,” said Diann Rogers, club member. “This will be a good strong connection for him in keeping with the community.” Haverty said staying connected is very important to him.
“Outside of the fire department, what I feel best about is the community programs that I have been involved in,” Haverty said. “Those are the things to me that have long-lasting effects for the community.”
Additionally, he will continue teaching as an assistant professor, which he has done for the past seven years.
“I thoroughly enjoy it,” he said. “I believe strongly in education. I encourage education in the fire department and I believe in teaching through model.”
He recently accepted an appointment as assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Policy Planning and Development. He will teach three classes at USC’s Sacramento campus and in Los Angeles including Policy and Program Evaluation, The Professional Practice of Public Administration and Executive Leadership Development.
On the fun side of retirement, Haverty said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 37 years, Terri. She also retired from education this summer.
The couple has three kids who are grown and married, four grandchildren and two dogs named Sparky and Pluggy. The couple also took in a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Austria who will spend the next year with them in their El Dorado Hills home. The student, Elias Steyrer, 17, will be a senior at Folsom High School. “We haven’t had anyone in the house for years, so it will be interesting. But he is the nicest kid,” Haverty said.
Accomplishments
During his three-year tenure as fire chief, Haverty has professional and personal accomplishments of which he’s proud.
“He came in here and did what we asked him to do. He turned the department around during a tough time,” Miller said. “He gained everyone’s trust.” In a career spanning 27 years, he can list numerous achievements.
Haverty became involved with organ and tissue donation after providing a donation himself. The result of his efforts evolved into the awareness sticker, “Got the Dot? Be a Hero.” “That started about five years ago when I became a liver donor for Bishop William Weigand (with the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento),” Haverty said. “Seventy percent of my liver was transplanted to him. He is doing really well, even after five years.” Soon after, he said he got very involved in organ and tissue donation. He sits on the board of Golden State Donor Services, which serves 13 counties in Northern California. The nonprofit agency is committed to saving and improving lives by connecting one life to another through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. “I’m really interested in education, so my sticker program is to raise awareness in California,” Haverty said. “It started in Sacramento but I challenged over 150 fire chiefs in the state to raise awareness. Now there are about 15 cities and counties that are doing this.”
Miller said losing Haverty will be a big loss for the city.
“He is leaving an awesome legacy and he can be very proud of the work that he did,” Miller said. “Knowing Dan, this had to have been a gut-wrenching decision for him. He was very shy and humble when he announced it to me. He is just a quality guy.”
A successor for Haverty will be determined in the coming months, Miller said.
“Dan has been a fantastic public servant and a great asset to the city of Folsom,” said Cindy Baker, local resident. “He is going to leave some big boots to fill.”
0 COMMENTS:
Post a Comment